1.4 Earth System Science
What is a System?
A system can be any size group of interacting
parts that form a complex whole.
Example:
Hydrologic (or water) System
Tectonic System
Climate System
What is a System?
There are two types of systems:
Open
Closed
The Earth system is powered by energy from
two sources:
Sun
Earth’s interior
Sun Energy
Energy from the SUN drives external processes
that occur:
in the Atmosphere
in the Hydrosphere
at the Earth’s surface
Earth’s Internal Energy
The Earth’s internal heating system powers
internal process that produce:
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Mountains
Human Impact
Humans are also a part of Earth’s system.
Our actions produce changes in all of the other
parts of the Earth system.
Assignment
Section 1.4 Assessment – p. 22 #1-4, 6